An Unhealthy Obsession With ReddiWhip
January 4, 2009
Oh ReddiWhip, (of the fat-free variety) how I love thee … let me count the ways!
This stuff is seriously crack to me. It’s addictive, versatile, and so damn good.
When I’m on my game, can I go through a can every three days, no joke. It’s supposed to serve 40 people at 5 calories a serving … but I eat it in three days; 1-2 pts a day … sigh. (The whole can is 200 calories).
I eat it on top of a 1/2 T of chunky PB — so delicious. Dolloped over ff/sf cocoa — so creamy. Or even squirted straight from the can — so rebellious.
(My dad taught me that lovely habit; when my siblings and I were little kids he’d squirt whipped cream into our mouths and we’d try to see who could fit the most without laughing and spitting it all over the place — ah, memories … Thanks, Dad, LOL).
Anyhoo … I seriously can’t get enough of the stuff.
I know it’s full of chemicals (no sugar substitutes but plenty of chemicals). I know it has no nutritional value, but it does spice up some of my favorite things.
Before many trips to the grocery store I have told myself I wouldn’t buy it. Didn’t write it on the list. But I always seem to find it in my grocery cart … and then our fridge … and then the can’s in my hand and there’s no begging for mercy. My husband is grossed out by it, so it’s only me consuming the can of fat-free fluff.
My conclusion: I think I need to ban it entirely. Not because it’s particularly unhealthy — it’s actually not that bad for me calorie-wise, in moderation. But if it’s there, I eat it. It’s a crutch, and the fact that I think I abuse it says a lot.
It’s something to “fill up on” for few calories … empty calories.
But above all, it’s an expensive habit to have. (A can is usually $2.49 and I can spend my money in better ways — like good dark chocolate!)
And so … I think after the two cans in my fridge are gone, I’ll be bidding adieu to my favorite treat. For a little while, at least.
How about you? Is there a food on your radar these days with whom you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship? Did you ban it entirely?
Entry Filed under: Emotional Eating, Food. Tags: fat free reddi-whip, obsession, reddi whip, reddiwhip.
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1.
Faye | January 4, 2009 at 8:28 am
How about going through a can in 2 days? I have an unhealthy obsession with it too! For a while I bought it because I told myself that topping my yogurt with it would be a better substitution for ice cream. I only stopped buying it because the places I shop (Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, local grocery store) doesn’t carry it and since I started work, I don’t have time to go to the stores that do have it. Thank goodness!
2.
marafaye | January 4, 2009 at 11:40 am
I’m a huge believer in NOT completely banning anything… banning a food gives it power over me, and seriously, its JUST food. For me, my food like your reddi whip is dark chocolate. Whatever is there, I will eat in 2-3 days. Maybe try just NOT putting it on a few things?
3.
lissa10279 | January 4, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hey Fays, I’m sure I’ve done that too
I think 3 was the AVERAGE 
I soo wish we had TJs and WF here but we don’t — so it’s at pretty much every store I shop in. That said, I can make a concerted effort not to buy it.
Hey Mara, I am with you on most things — except triggers. In those cases it’s better for me to not have it here at all — if it’s not here, I can’t have it. Won’t have it. I am one of those people that flourishes with rules and I think it’s time to finish these two cans and be done with FF ReddiWhip for a bit
I do LOVE dark chocolate … mmmm! And I don’t abuse chocolate — I think b/c my mentality is “well, I know calorically it’s dense. Whereas I can eat a LOT of FF ReddiWhip for 200 calories!” It isn’t right, but it has been my mindset.
But for this year, I really want to focus away from the fake stuff and though this isn’t fake sugar, it is all chemicals and it bloats me, too — all that gas going into your tummy when you eat it, esp from the can! Can’t be healthy …
4.
FollowMyWeigh | January 4, 2009 at 11:20 pm
i have tooootally been getting into reddi wip too. and that is too funny about having it on pb - because that thought actually crossed my mind but i wasn’t too sure about it. i guess it is a good combo huh! =)
i think it may be the convenience of it too? just sitting there on the fridge door and all you have to do is spray~ thankfully i haven’t gone overboard with it but i def. have my phases!
i agree with you that sometimes its just better NOT to have it at all. -not banning yourself from it entirely, but just taking away the possibility of overdoing it. and it just takes the temptation away entirely.
5.
lissa10279 | January 5, 2009 at 11:33 am
Today is National Whipped Cream Day, too, according to HungryGirl!! Oy.
Oh yes, it’s totally the convenience. On my chunky all-natural PB it reminds me of my favorite sundae as a kid — the Happy Ending Reese’s PB Cup sundae at Friendley’s
But I won’t be buying any more this week. I’ve plowed through the one can and the second is about to be done by tomorrow or so.
6.
seeleelive | January 7, 2009 at 5:39 pm
HEY i didnt know you ate ff/sf things?
7.
lissa10279 | January 7, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Hey Lee, I don’t eat a lot of them — I never add Splenda to stuff or anything — but I do eat some foods that are “fake” … I know it’s better to eat real things but it’s like that “circle” I talked about a few weeks back — how you start dieting and replace foods you like with low-fat varieties for less points, then realize those things help you feel normal maybe but you might overeat them, so you end up back at square one, just eating a lot less of the real stuff.
I wouldn’t make fat-free brownies, but I’m ok with FF pudding, ya know? So I am not all or nothing when it comes to nutrition, though I sort of wish I was!!